What's the Fuss?

Much has been made about Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford following in the footsteps of Heisman Trophy winners who lose their bowl games. Well, that’s what Florida fans are hoping at least.

Recent history may be on their side. The last three winners, including Florida’s own Tim Tebow have lost their bowl bids. The last winner to win was USC’s Matt Leinart in 2004.

Yet, that notion that Heisman winners aren’t victorious during bowl season isn’t exactly standing solid on two feet. Just look at the numbers. In the 16 years since the bowls went to some sort of organization to determine a national champion, half of the Heisman winners have lost their bowl game. And half of won.

Heisman winners went 6-2 in the first eight years and 2-6 in the last eight. There’s been a streak of four straight victories by Heisman winners. That was part of a stretch of seven winners in eight years from 1993-99.

The only Heisman Trophy jinx that Bradford should be worried about is the winners records in national championship games: 3-5.

Here’s a list at Heisman winners since 1992 and how they fared in their bowl games:

1992 - Gino Torretta, Miami (Fla.) L to Alabama in Sugar Bowl
1993 - Charlie Ward, Florida State W over Nebraska in Orange Bowl NCG
1994 - Rashaan Salaam, Colorado W over Notre Dame in Fiesta Bowl
1995 - Eddie George, Ohio State L to Alabama in Citrus Bowl
1996 - Danny Wuerffel, Florida W over FSU in Sugar Bowl NCG
1997 - Charles Woodson, Michigan W over Washington State in Rose Bowl – Split nat’l title*
1998 - Ricky Williams, Texas W over Mississippi State in Cotton Bowl
1999 - Ron Dayne, Wisconsin W over Stanford in Rose Bowl
2000 - Chris Weinke, Florida State L to Oklahoma in Orange Bowl NCG
2001 - Eric Crouch, Nebraska L to Miami in Rose Bowl NCG
2002 - Carson Palmer, USC W over Iowa in Orange Bowl
2003 - Jason White, Oklahoma L to LSU in Sugar Bowl NCG
2004 - Matt Leinart, USC W over Oklahoma in Orange Bowl NCG
2005 - Reggie Bush, USC L to Texas in Rose Bowl NCG
2006 - Troy Smith, Ohio State L to Florida in BCS NCG
2007 - Tim Tebow, Florida L to Michigain in Capital One Bowl
2008 - Sam Bradford, Oklahoma TBD

Won game: 8/16
NCG: 3-5
First 8: 6-2
Last 8: 2-6
Streak: W4 1996-99, 7/8 1993-99

*The Rose Bowl wasn’t a desigated national championship game.

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